Arriving at Budweiser Stage for Alicia Keys’ ALICIA+ World tour, energy and anticipation for the show pulsed through the crowd. As the show started, the level of detail in choreography, sound, and lighting created a grand entrance for Ms. Keys, who played a mix of her classic hits and songs from her new album Keys with seamless transitions.
At one point in her show, Keys seemed to have disappeared from the stage and reappeared among the fans in a DJ booth located in the 400 level of the venue. For those on the lawns, it was a welcome surprise to see Keys so close to her fans.
Playing pieces from her newest album from the DJ booth, Keys engaged with the fans, asking them to vote for their favourite style of her songs. Keys played songs using her “original” style, jazzy and on the piano, and then with her new style, “unlocked,” where she integrated a synthesizer to express her songs with a bigger sound. I personally enjoyed her original tracks as they felt heartfelt and true to her roots. She then surprised her fans by playing her newest song “Stay,” which was soulful and beautiful.
Alicia returned to the main stage to finish the set and ended the show with her son Egypt’s favourite song, “If I Ain’t Got You”, leaving the crowd filled with emotions and eager for her next show.
– Genny